Country Hall of Fame: Reba McEntire’s Induction

Seven years ago, on March 1, 2011, Kix Brooks announced during a press conference at the Country Hall of Fame and Museum the newest inductees of the Country Hall of Fame. One of them is the Oklahoman superstar Reba McEntire.

Known as one of the Queens of Country Music, Reba McEntire ranks as the most successful female country artist of her time. She has been considered as a role model by her colleagues and every woman who follows her and her career. Reba is more than a great singer and artist. She has already earned more than fifty Top Ten singles. To note, she has notched more no. 1 country albums than any other female artist to date. An award-winning artist, Reba has won four CMA Female Vocalist of the Year awards and in 1986, she was also a CMA Entertainer of the Year. She has also earned 15 American Music awards, and  nine People’s Choice awards.  In addition to these accolades, she has already three Grammy Awards.

Reba’s Induction to the Country Hall of Fame

“This is a huge honor for me and something I’ve dreamed about since I was a little girl. When I was a young girl, we would take vacations to Nashville and tour the Country Music Hall of Fame. And now, for me to be inducted, is a dream come true.” (Reba McEntire)

Elected in the “Modern Era Artist” category, Reba McEntire was not only an amazing artist but also a woman of great substance and talent. She has always championed the hearts of country music fans. In an interview with the Chicago Tribune, she said that her first concern is the female country audience, addressing their lives and troubles.

“I’m trying to sing songs for women, to say for them what they can’t say for themselves. But I’m trying to do it for the eighties and nineties.”

However, during the press conference held at the Country Hall of Fame and Museum, she failed to attend the said event. During that time, she was in Tulsa, Oklahoma, taking care of her sick father.

Kix Brooks of the duo Brooks & Dunn was the one who announced Reba’s induction along with two other inductees.

On behalf of McEntire, Brooks shared her message to the audience.

“I’m so appreciative of being selected as one of the newest members of the Country Music Hall of Fame. … It’s a wonderful honor during a very emotional time of my life. I’m so sorry I couldn’t be with all of you this morning to get to visit and reminisce about all the fun times we’ve had being a part of the country music business. My daddy has had a stroke, is in a comatose state in ICU in Tulsa. I really need to be with my mama and daddy right now. I know it’s where I should be. … By the way, I told Daddy about being inducted two days before he went into the coma. It’s a huge blessing knowing how important it was to him.”

The Country Hall of Fame Medallion ceremony was held on May 22, 2011. Interestingly, it was Dolly Parton who introduced and awarded Reba the medallion. Reba then went on to give thanks to everyone and shared some of her experiences achieving everything she has had.

Watch Reba McEntire’s emotional acceptance speech at the Country Hall of Fame in 2011:

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